Since Thanksgiving was yesterday, I wanted to write an open letter dedicated to my lovely parents, who sacrificed everything and left their homes behind in search of something greater.

I love my parents and I am very grateful for everything that they've done for me over the past nineteen years.

I love you mama and papa! Я вас очень люблю и спасибо за все!!

Dear Mom & Dad,

Thank you for coming to America and leaving everything and everyone you know behind.

Thank you for working two jobs morning to night, and saving every penny just to get an apartment.

Thank you for always making sure my brother and I got everything that we needed.

Thank you for loving us continuously no matter what.

Thank you for waking me up for school on time and always making me breakfast.

Even though I didn’t always say how thankful I was for you both, I knew deep down.

Thank you for taking me to dancing school every Saturday morning.

Even when I dreaded getting out of bed, I knew one of you would carry me to the living room.

Thank you for always taking me to the park across the street, Forest Park.

Some of my best childhood memories were created in that park.

Thank you for filling my childhood with so many laughs, smiles, and tears too.

But all of this made my childhood beautiful.

Thank you for teaching me the rights and wrongs of the world.

Thank you for pushing me throughout middle school, high school, and now in college.

Thank you for driving me to school no matter what, even in the harshest weather conditions.

Whether it was snowing, thundering, or pouring rain you always still drove me to school.

Thank you for always being my shoulder to cry on no matter what time of the day.

Thank you for supporting my goals and aspirations in life.

Thank you for being my parents, providers, inspirations, and most of all, my friends.

I love you two very, very, much and will never stop loving you both.

I want to thank you both so much for everything you’ve sacrificed.

I want to become successful to make you proud of your daughter.

Love Always,

Your Daughter